Stanford engineers enable simple cameras to see in 3D

The lab-based prototype lidar system that the research team built, which successfully captured megapixel-resolution depth maps using a commercially available digital camera. (Image credit: Andrew Brodhead)
Mar 28 2022
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A compact, high-frequency, low-power optical device that allows standard digital cameras to perceive light in three dimensions was developed by Stanford researchers. The prototype captured megapixel-resolution depth maps and the team has further reduced the energy consumption by at least 10x and believes several-hundred-times greater energy reduction is within reach. If possible, a future of small-scale lidar with standard image sensors - and 3D smartphone cameras - could become reality.